SchoolBondFinder Archives - 91ԭƬ /tag/schoolbondfinder/ K-12 + Higher Education Market Coverage Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:55:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.5 /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-SCN_favicon-32x32.png SchoolBondFinder Archives - 91ԭƬ /tag/schoolbondfinder/ 32 32 Design + Construction Symposium Tackles Real Challenges with Real Solutions /2026/08/11/design-construction-symposium-tackles-real-challenges-with-real-solutions/ Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:55:44 +0000 /?p=55582 The 91ԭƬ Design + Construction Symposium brought education leaders, architects, designers, contractors, developers and facilities professionals together Aug. 5 at Denver’s historic Tivoli Turnhalle to examine how evolving needs are reshaping the design and delivery of K-12 and higher education environments.

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]]> Moderated by Chuck Amos, CEO ofSchoolBondFinder, the panel featured David J. Henderson,DeputyChief ofOperations for Cherry Creek School District, and Justin Sinnott,VicePresident ofCorporateOperations at Erickson-Hall.
Panelists Erika Ashauer, Human Experience Research Lead for HCM’s PK-12 Studio; Joel Williams, Studio Director at QKA; Guy Grace, vice chair of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools; and Pat Tackney, Security & Architectural Sales Consultant for McGrory Glass Systems, expanded the traditional definition of school safety beyond access control and security hardware.
Panelists Erika Ashauer, Human Experience Research Lead for HCM’s PK-12 Studio; Joel Williams, Studio Director at QKA; Guy Grace, vice chair of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools; and Pat Tackney, Security & Architectural Sales Consultant for McGrory Glass Systems, expanded the traditional definition of school safety beyond access control and security hardware.

By Lindsey Coulter

The 91ԭƬ Design + Construction Symposium brought education leaders, architects, designers, contractors, developers and facilities professionals together Aug. 5 at Denver’s historic Tivoli Turnhalle to examine how evolving needs are reshaping the design and delivery of K-12 and higher education environments.

Held on the Auraria Campus, the event focused on project-driven discussions around student belonging, school safety, community engagement, mass timber, urbandevelopmentand the increasingly compressed construction schedules facing school districts. The symposium was designed to move beyond broad industry trends and examine real projects and lessons that can be applied to future work.

Designing for Belonging

The program opened with a keynote from Dr. Drew Coleman, Chief of Schools for Jeffco Public Schools, who challenged attendees to consider the relationship between school environments, studentexperienceand educational outcomes.

Coleman’s presentation, “Building Belonging: Designing Schools Where Students Feel Safe Enough to Learn and Prepared Enough to Lead,” examined how the physical environment can either support or hinder student success. His perspective connected education leadership, schoolcultureand the built environment, reinforcing the symposium’s emphasis on designing schools around the needs of the people who use them.

The keynote was followed by a district-level perspective from Micah Ali, president of Compton Unified School District. Ali discussed the development of Compton High School and the importance of trust,continuityand community partnerships in delivering major educational facilities projects.

Born and raised in Compton, Ali played a foundational role in the development ofthe highschool and has extensive experience in land use, development and partnerships aimed at expanding opportunities for students.He also is helping guide the district’s upcoming Centennial and Dominguez Hills High School projects.

The discussion illustrated a broader theme that ran throughout the symposium: successful school construction is not simply about delivering a building, but about creating facilities that reflect community priorities and support long-term educational goals.

Beyond Safety and Security

The morning continued with a design panel examining how safety, security,belongingand well-being can coexist in school environments.

PanelistsErika Ashauer, Human Experience Research Lead for HCM’s PK-12 Studio; Joel Williams, Studio Director at QKA; Guy Grace, vice chair of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools; and Pat Tackney, Security & Architectural Sales Consultant for McGrory Glass Systems,expanded the traditional definition of school safety beyond access control and security hardware. Panelists considered how visibility, privacy, supervision,comfortand a sense of belonging can influence the experience of students and staff.

The discussion reflected a broader shift in school design toward environments that address both physical safety and the emotional and social conditions that help students learn.

Summit House Provides a Case Study in Innovation

Rather than focusing on mass timber as a standalone innovation, the presentation examined the combination of decisions and partnerships required to make the project possible. Those included material selection, planning, logistics, development and construction delivery.
Rather than focusing on mass timber as a standalone innovation, the presentation examined the combination of decisions and partnerships required to make the project possible. Those included material selection, planning, logistics, development and construction delivery.

After a networking break, the symposium shifted from K-12 schools to higher education and studenthousingwith a case studyonMetropolitan State University of Denver’s Summit House.

Presented byMartha Nelson, Director of Planning, Design and Construction for MSU Denver; Ben Diaz, Senior Development Manager for Columbia Ventures; Macy Huffaker, Project Architect with SAR+ Architects; Ryan Marshall – Superintendent at PCL Construction,thesession, moderated by Leone Dick, Chief of Staff to the Vice President of Administration at MSU Denver,explored the planning,designand delivery of MSU Denver’s first residence hall.

Summit Houserepresentsa significant milestone for the university and for Colorado construction. The 12-story student residence is being delivered using mass timber and is positioned to become the tallest mass-timber structure in the state. The project also incorporates an urban construction environment and a public-private delivery model. (91ԭƬ)

Rather than focusing on mass timber as a standalone innovation, the presentation examined the combination of decisions and partnershipsrequiredto make the project possible. Those included materialselection, planning,logistics,developmentand construction delivery.

The case study also gave attendees a closer look at the increasingly complex role of construction teams working in dense urban environments and managing innovative structural systems.

Racing the Summer Construction Clock

The symposium concluded its formal program with a panel focused on one of the most persistent challenges in K-12 construction: delivering projects within the limited summer construction window.
The symposium concluded its formal program with a panel focused on one of the most persistent challenges in K-12 construction: delivering projects within the limited summer construction window.

The symposium concluded its formal program with a panel focused on one of the most persistent challenges in K-12 construction: delivering projects within the limited summer construction window.

Moderated by Chuck Amos, CEO ofSchoolBondFinder, the panel featured David J. Henderson,DeputyChief ofOperations for Cherry Creek School District, and Justin Sinnott,VicePresident ofCorporateOperations at Erickson-Hall.

Dubbed “The Summer Sprint,” the discussionaddressedplanning, coordination, riskmanagementand project delivery during the period when schools are vacant but must be ready for students when the new academic year begins.

Henderson brought more than 25 years of K-12 construction andfacilitiesleadership to the discussion, including oversight of approximately2 million square feetof capital improvement,constructionand renovation projects across Colorado school districts.Sinnott contributed experience in project planning, execution, risk management and operational efficiency.

The panel underscored how compressed schedules are placing greater emphasis on early planning,coordinationand delivery strategies that can reduce risk whilemaintainingquality.

The topic also reflected broader pressures facing districts nationwide. 91ԭƬ recently examined the “Summer Sprint” as an increasingly demanding period in which districts must complete everything from HVAC replacements and classroom renovations to larger capital projects before students return.

From Conversation to Job Site

Attendees also had the opportunity to take the morning’s discussion into the field with an exclusive tour of MSU Denver’s Summit House.
Attendees also had the opportunity to take the morning’s discussion into the field with an exclusive tour of MSU Denver’s Summit House.

Attendees alsohad the opportunity to take themorning’sdiscussion into the field with an exclusive tour of MSU Denver’s Summit House.

The tour provided a firsthand look at the mass-timber residence hall and connected the project’s planning and delivery discussion with its physical construction. According to 91ԭƬ, the projectrepresentsthe intersection of student housing demand, urban development, innovativematerialsand alternative approaches to project delivery.

Across its sessions, the symposium emphasized a common challenge facing both K-12 and higher education: making increasingly complex capital investments serve long-term institutional and community goals.

From Coleman’s examination of belonging to Ali’s discussion of community trust, the design panel’s exploration of safety and well-being, Summit House’s innovative delivery and the final panel’s focus on compressed construction schedules, the event demonstrated that the future of educational construction will require collaboration across disciplines.

Rather than treating design, construction, operations and educational outcomes as separate considerations, the symposium brought those perspectives together around a shared question:How can the industry create schools and campuses that are not only built successfully, but equipped to serve the people and communities who depend on them?

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]]> SchoolBondFinder Shares An In-Depth Look at the Spring 2026 K-12 Bond Market /2026/05/27/schoolbondfinder-shares-an-in-depth-look-at-the-spring-2026-k-12-bond-market/ Wed, 27 May 2026 15:47:47 +0000 /?p=55008 SchoolBondFinder specializes in tracking K-12 capital project bonds across the nation.

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]]> SchoolBondFinderiscurrently tracking roughly$49billionof opportunities, with many ofthe organization’sWatchlist items having no money attached yet. | Photo Credit (all): SchoolBondFinder

By PetraSucher

SchoolBondFinderspecializes in tracking K-12 capital project bonds across the nation. The platform monitors school district bond initiatives across key stages, providing stakeholders with crucial data on project scope, financing, and voter outcomes. In March,SchoolBondFindershared first-quarter updates and referendum insights for the 2025 and2026 electioncycles.

The research team is actively updatingthe platform with the latest election results with a “boots on the ground” approach. Most updates for referendum votes are reflected within 24 to72 hoursofpassage.

Read more foran in-depth look at April and May results, highlighting essential insights for the 2026 K-12 bond market.

An Overview of April Elections

ForAprila majority of elections occurred on April 7.Approximately80%of the bonds (120 out of 150) passed,whereas30failed. The total value for both passed and failed bonds amounts to$4B.Mostdistricts focused on infrastructure and safety. Missouri and Oklahoma were the most active states this month. Missouri had64bondsand Oklahoma had39bonds.

Key Districts:

Wayzata, Minn.($450,000,000):

  • Scope:New construction of apublicelementaryschool and a middle school,aswellasclassroom and lab additions at the high school,kitchenand cafeteriaexpansions,and gymnasium additions.
  • Status:Passed

Tulsa, Okla.($276,000,000):

  • Scope:Extensive renovationsto an existing public school,including new classrooms, kitchens, ADA compliance upgrades, HVACsystemsand roofing across multiple sites.
  • Status:Passed

Howard-Suamico, Wis.(147,000,000)

  • Scope:New classroom additions and gymnasiums at three elementary schools,plus Career and Technical Educationlabs andperforming-artsspaces at the high school.
  • Status:Passed

Dallas Independent School District Passes $6.2 Billion in Bonds

On May 2, voters approved92of118propositions for a passage rate of78%, which is consistent with national trends. Many Texas school districts had multiple propositions on the ballot. In Texas 10 out of 26 failed, most having to do with athletic propositions.

DallasIndependent School Districtpasseditsbond package worth$6.2 billion, thelargest in Texas history.Proposition Awill fund new construction to replace 26 schools andexpandexisting schools, adding classrooms toeliminateportables.It will alsofund efforts to:

  • Renovateand modernize every campus across the district
  • Remove the district’s 700 remaining portable classrooms
  • Enhance safety and security at all campuses
  • Upgrade school furniture, student technology, and transportation, including new school buses
  • Improve physical education facilities and repair swimming pools

The bond packagewill be broken up intofour propositions to ensure transparency and flexibility. This bond package will leave a generational mark not just for the funding amount, but for the scope of theproject.

Movement in Michigan,Ohioand Montana

There were79propositions on the ballot for May 5, most inMichigan, Ohio, and Montana with a mix of bonds and levies. For reference,a school bond election is a bond issue used by a public school district, typically to finance a building project or other capital project. These measures are placed on the ballot by district school boards to be approved or defeated by the voting public or taxing authority.Alevy is a short-term, local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue for the district to fund programs and services that the state does not fund. Levies are used mostly for operational expenditures.

In total,43propositions with a value of$2billionpassedon May 5,whereas36propositions worth$1.6billionfailed. The number of bonds passedrepresentsa passage rate of just 54%, lagging historic national trends.

A recent trendobservedbySchoolBondFinderresearchers this year involves districts requesting earned income tax levies to fund construction projects,either by itself or combined with another funding source like a bond.Researcherstypically see this for operating levies, but districts in the State of Ohio asking for this to accommodate their construction needs is new.Districts mayattemptto attract older voters byutilizingearned income tax levies, as these measures do notimpactthat demographic in the same way increasing property taxes do.There were three earned income tax levies on the ballot this month inOhioand all three failed.

Other May Bond Decisions

Voters considered16total propositions during this election cycle, resulting insixpassing and10failing.Bonds were approved in Mississippi, Massachusetts, Nebraska (2 districts),Minnesotaand West Virginia. With most of the propositions focused on new construction.

  • Passed Amount: Totaling $498,285,000
  • Failed Amount: Totaling $342,648,950

Therewerea total of127propositions that went to voteon May 19. Of those,113passed fora passage rate of88%. The majority of those on the ballot occurred in New York.A total of94bondspassed, totaling over$1billionin New York.

Factors Influencing District Priority Shifts

In addition to the well-known challenges of declining enrollment and district operational difficulties, several other factors are at playschool consolidations,expirationof Cares Act funding, voter resistance to specific measuresand adownward trend in birth rates.These changes suggest districts may be pivoting priorities to better serve local needs and moving away from projects fueled by federal programs.

Key Focus Areas for Passed Bonds

Despite these challenges, passed bonds are still showingstrong supportfor key focus areas, such as specialty areas,HVAC systems, athletic facilities, instructional spaces, and electricalandlighting upgrades.

SchoolBondFinderiscurrently tracking roughly$49billionof opportunities, with many ofthe organization’sWatchlist items having no money attached yet.Researchersare trackingmore than1,726bonds as of May 22.Electionsin June and August are around the corner and will be featured alongsidethe2026 Q2 updates and researcher insightsthis summer.

Petra Sucher is the Marketing Engagement & Analytics Manager for .

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]]> New Partnership with SchoolBondFinder Brings Bond, Referendum Insights to 91ԭƬ /2026/03/30/new-partnership-with-schoolbondfinder-brings-bond-referendum-insights-to-school-construction-news/ Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:25:16 +0000 /?p=54841 Recognizing the critical value of connecting readers with bond- and referendum-related insights, 91ԭƬ is proud to announce a new partnership withSchoolBondFinderthat will bringSchoolBondFinder’sexpertiseand capital project bond insights to 91ԭƬ readers.

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]]> By Petra Sucher

SBF Short LogoAs school districts nationwide grapple with aging infrastructure, evolving educational models and heightened community expectations, K-12 bond measures have become a critical mechanism for funding transformation. Beyond simple capital campaigns, these referendums reflect shifting priorities around safety,flexibilityand long-term facility performance.

Recognizing the critical value of connecting readers with bond- and referendum-related insights, 91ԭƬ is proud to announce a new partnership withthat will bringSchoolBondFinder’sexpertiseand capital project bond insights to 91ԭƬ readers.SchoolBondFinderprovides a data-driven lens into how districts are planning,proposingand delivering projects—offeringstakeholdersa clearer view of where investment is occurring and how those decisions are shaping the future of learning environments.

The School Bond Finder K-12 Bond Platform

SchoolBondFinderspecializes in tracking K-12 capital project bonds across the nation. Our platform monitors school district bond initiatives across key stages, providing stakeholders with crucial data on project scope, financing, and voter outcomes.

  • Watch List:Districts may be added to this list following initial activities such as a facilities study, demographic study, capital improvement plans review, or a feasibility survey.
  • Proposed List: A bond is moved to this list once a school board officially approves a referendum for a vote.At this point, the vote date, official ballot language, use, and amount arefinalized.
  • Passed/Failed List:Updates on school bond referendum votes—bothpassedandfailed—are typically available on our platform within 24 to72 hoursof the official results being released.

A Recap of 2025 Bonds

As the first quarter of 2026 wrapsupit is important to look back at 2025 for reference. In 2025SchoolBondFindertracked$91Billion worth of bonds. Approximately$69.2billionpassed,whereas$22.7billionfailed. The overall passage rate for 2025 was75%, which aligns with the trendobservedover the last few years. Our research team tracks school bond activity nationwide, with the highest total bond amounts recorded in Texas ($18.4 billion), California ($6.1 billion), Ohio ($3.5 billion), Washington ($3.4 billion), and Pennsylvania ($3.0 billion) in 2025.

Historic Trends

The chart below illustrates spending amounts for both passed and failed referendums over the past eight years. Election years typically show an increase in both the number and total value of bonds proposed, a trend often attributed to higher voter turnout during presidential elections, which can improve referendum passage rates.
The chart illustrates spending amounts for both passed and failed referendums over the past eight years. Election years typically show an increase in both the number and total value of bonds proposed, a trend often attributed to higher voter turnout during presidential elections, which can improve referendum passage rates.

The chart below illustrates spending amounts for both passed and failed referendums over the past eight years. Election years typically show an increase in both the number and total value of bonds proposed, atrend often attributed to higher voter turnout during presidential elections, which can improve referendum passage rates.

An eight-year longitudinal analysis (2018–2025) highlights consistent trends in K-12 bond funding, offering insight into evolving educational priorities. During this period, bond measures mostfrequentlysupported the following project areas:

  • SpecialityAreas
  • Instructional Areas
  • Athletic Facilities
  • HVACSystemsElectricaland Lighting Upgrades
  • Electrical / Lighting Upgrades

Given that most instructional buildings were built before the 1970s, it is no surprise that infrastructure upgrades are a top priority for school districts. Capital improvements continue to be focused on modernizing student learning environments. These spaces include classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and specialized facilities. The goal is student-centered learning, achieved through flexible environments that incorporate mobile furniture, integrated technology, and versatile layouts.

2026 Year to Date – First Quarter

As of March 2026, approximately$6billionin K–12 bonds have been approved.Roughly267bond measures were tracked in the first quarter, resulting in a70%passage rate. Approved bonds were concentrated primarily in specialty areas (iecafeterias, sensory rooms, admin spaces), HVAC systems, and instructional spaces. The top three states (WA, KS, and IL) account for about66%of the total bond amount passed in Q1.

2026 Bond Priorities

TheSchoolBondFinderdatabase is currently tracking a total of1,478bonds scheduled for 2026 and beyond, as of March. Approximately117bonds are scheduled to go to vote throughoutthe month of April, with more elections scheduled in May and June. The combined Proposed and Watch List bondsrepresentapproximately$56 billionin potential opportunity.

K-12 School bonds are currently prioritizing construction, capital improvements, technology upgrades, and security enhancements. Many districts areseekingsmaller, more targeted amounts for referendums, which may be more appealing to taxpayers and could be a more achievable strategy compared to large, multimillion-dollar bonds.

  • Facility Longevity and Maintenance: There is a growing focus on facility longevity and maintenance over expansion. Renovation and repair projects are the most frequent, while new construction and major system/envelope upgradesrepresenthigher-value contracts.
  • Student-Centric Modernization:A significant portionof bond funding targets modernization and expansion of areas directlyimpactingstudent learning and extracurricular activities. This includes projects focused on flexible learning spaces, modern classrooms, and auditorium renovations, showing a high demand for multi-purpose furniture solutions.
  • Infrastructure and Safety: Basic infrastructureremainsa consistent priority. Projects related to safety/security and system/building envelope upgrades, such as HVAC replacement, roof repairs, andsecurityshow a commitment to the health, safety, and long-term goals of school facilities.

More Info and Insights to Come

Looking ahead, the trajectory of K-12 bond fundingsuggests a more strategic, targeted approach to capital investment—one that balances fiscal realities with the urgent need to modernize facilities. As districts continue to prioritize infrastructure resilience, student-centered design and operational efficiency, access totimely, reliable data will remain essential. Platforms likeSchoolBondFinderare critical resources for A/E/C stakeholders,providingthe in-depth insights necessary for better decision-making and efficientutilizationof K-12 funding opportunities.

Watch for quarterly insights fromSchoolBondFinderto learn more about upcoming opportunities.

Petra Sucher is the Marketing Engagement & Analytics Manager with.

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